Devices, systems, and methods for orthodontic hardware

ABSTRACT

An appliance for orthodontic hardware in the form of a cap sized to fit over a bracket and arch wire braces system. The cap includes a hollowed, mound shaped body with a bottom edge defining an opening on one side of the body. The cap also includes multiple tabs extending from the edge and partially over the opening. The bottom edge also defines two channels aligned opposite each other and extending from the bottom edge. With this arrangement, the cap can be positioned over a bracket with the tabs engaging the bracket and retaining the cap thereto while the channels defined in the body prevent the cap from engaging the arch wire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/589,485, filed Jan. 23, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/703,764, filed Sep. 20, 2012, the contents of each of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to appliances for orthodontichardware and/or teeth. More specifically, the present invention relatesto devices, systems and methods for shielding orthodontic hardwareand/or deficiencies in one's teeth.

BACKGROUND

Orthodontic braces are designed to align and straighten teeth andposition the teeth in regard to a person's bite as a result of force andpressure on the teeth. The primary components needed to help move theteeth, in the case of traditional metal or wire braces, are brackets,bonding material, an arch wire, and ligature elastic, otherwise known asan “O-ring.” Over a period of time, the teeth move when the arch wireexerts pressure on the brackets and teeth. At times, additional forcemay be applied in specific directions by using springs or rubber bands.Although braces are an effective tool for ultimately aligning andstraightening teeth, some patients are hesitant to employ braces due tofinancial constraints, the known discomfort and unfavorable appearanceof braces, and undergoing the braces process typically takingapproximately two and a half years before the braces are removed.

Efforts have been made to minimize the discomfort and unfavorableappearance. Outside the pressure that braces place on a patient's teeth,discomfort is primarily caused by the brackets and the end of the archwire, each typically causing irritation to the lips, cheeks, gums,and/or tongue and sometimes causing mucosal ulceration. However, theefforts proposed to overcome the discomfort of braces or unfavorableappearance require bracket appliances only employable over specializedbrackets, an orthodontist to properly position the appliance over thebracket or arch wire, and appliances that interfere with the arch wire.These issues result in inefficiencies to the patient and are costly.

In addition, due to various factors, such as poor teeth maintenance,limited dentistry and/or orthodontic work, many individuals face issuesof tooth loss or the like. Tooth loss is highly conspicuous andunsightly and, due to financial constraints, often times cannot be fixedor addressed appropriately. These individuals may want a temporaryresolve that will minimize the unsightly and conspicuous nature of toothloss.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop an orthodontic appliancethat can be positioned by oneself over a bracket or arch wire that alsominimizes patient discomfort and minimizes the unfavorable appearance ofbraces. It would also be advantageous for the orthodontic appliance tobe adaptable to most any sized bracket while not interfering with thearch wire. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a device andmethod that will minimize issues of tooth loss or unsightly teeth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various devices,systems and methods of providing an orthodontic appliance in the mouthfor shielding deficiencies in one's teeth and/or protecting portions ofthe mouth from sharp portions of a braces system. For example, in oneembodiment, a cap configured to be captured over a bracket of a bracketsystem for teeth. The cap includes a mound shaped body and multipletabs. The mound shaped body includes a rounded outer surface extendingto a bottom edge and an inner surface defining a hollow space. Thebottom edge defines two channels aligned opposite each other. Further,the two channels extend from the bottom edge into the body. The multipletabs of the cap each extend inward from the bottom edge and areindependently moveable. With this arrangement, the tabs facilitateengagement and retention of the body to the bracket.

In one embodiment, the multiple tabs are resiliently flexible and aremoveable from a first, unattached position to a second, attachedposition, wherein the tabs extend in a substantially common plane in thefirst, unattached position. Further, in another embodiment, in thesecond, attached position, the tabs each independently bend relative tostructure of the bracket and are each biased toward the first,unattached position such that the tabs retain the body to the bracket.In still another embodiment, the two channels defined in the bodyinclude a substantially constant width along their respective length,the width of the two channels being greater than a diameter of an archwire such that the width of the channels prevent substantially anyinterference between the body and the arch wire.

In another embodiment, the multiple tabs extend a predetermined distanceinward from the bottom edge so as to define a bottom surface. The bottomsurface defines an opening such that the opening extends to the hollowspace defined by the inner surface of the body. Further, the multipletabs may include a depth thickness, the depth thickness being less thana thickness of the mound shaped body. In another embodiment, the twochannels are defined in the bottom edge of the body and the multipletabs are sized to prevent interference with an arch wire of the bracketsystem. The two channels are configured to receive the arch wire uponthe body being captured over the bracket.

In one embodiment, the cap further includes a shield portion coupled tothe mound shaped body. Such a shield portion is configured toaesthetically shield a tooth.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shieldsystem for shielding teeth is provided. The shield system includes astand-alone bracket and a shield member. The stand-alone bracket isconfigured to adhesively adhere to a tooth. Further, the stand-alonebracket includes a base portion and an extension. The shield memberincludes a front portion and a back portion with a pocket definedtherebetween. The back portion defines an opening extending to thepocket. Further, the back portion of the shield member is configured tocouple to the extension of the stand-alone bracket such that theextension extends through the opening and into the pocket of the shieldmember.

In one embodiment, the back portion of the shield member includesmultiple tabs configured to engage the extension of the stand-alonebracket. In another embodiment, the multiple tabs are separated fromeach other by slits defined in the back portion of the shield member. Instill another embodiment, the multiple tabs each are coupled to the backportion of the shield member and include a free end. Each free end ofthe tabs collectively define the opening in the back portion of theshield member.

In another embodiment, the stand-alone bracket includes at least one ofa polymeric material, a ceramic material, and a metal material. Inanother embodiment, the shield member includes a polymeric material.

In yet another embodiment, the shield member aesthetically imitates oneor more teeth. In another embodiment, the shield member is coupled toanother shield member to aesthetically bridge a gap in the teeth.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a shieldsystem for shielding a gap in one's teeth is provided. The shield systemincludes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a shield. The firstbracket is configured to be coupled to a first tooth and the secondbracket is configured to be coupled to a second tooth. Further, thesecond bracket is configured to be positioned so as to be aligned withthe first bracket with the gap between the first bracket and the secondbracket. The shield includes a front side and a rear side. The rear sideincludes a first extension and a second extension configured to becoupled to the first bracket and the second bracket, respectively. Withthis arrangement, the shield is configured to aesthetically shield thegap in one's teeth.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, anorthodontic appliance configured to be captured on a braces system inthe mouth of a patient is provided. The orthodontic appliance includes arounded body and multiple tabs. The rounded body includes a wall thatdefines an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface definesa hollow portion within the body. The body includes an opening definedin the outer surface and extending to the hollow portion in the body.The multiple tabs each extend inward over the opening. Further, themultiple tabs are independently moveable and configured to engage andcapture the body to a portion of the brace system in the mouth.

In one embodiment, the rounded body is sized and configured to becaptured over an end of an arch wire of the brace system. In anotherembodiment, the rounded body includes a bottom edge that defines theopening. The bottom edge also defines a first channel and a secondchannel aligned opposite each other in the body and extends from thebottom edge. With this arrangement, the rounded body is configured to becaptured over a bracket of a brace system such that an arch wire of thebrace system is received in the first and second channels without thebody interfering with the arch wire.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a capmember configured to be positioned over multiple in-line brackets of abracket system for teeth is provided. The cap member includes anelongated body and multiple tabs. The elongated body extendslongitudinally between a first end and a second end thereof. Theelongated body includes a rounded outer surface extending laterallybetween a first side and a second side such that each of the first sideand the second side extends to an underside of the elongated body andthe rounded outer surface. Also, the elongated body includes an innersurface that defines a hollow space therein. The multiple tabs include afirst set of tabs and a second set of tabs. The first set of tabs eachextend inward from the first side of the elongated body to define theunderside along the first side of the elongated body. Similarly, thesecond set of tabs each extend inward from the second side of theelongated body to define the underside along the second side of theelongated body. Each of the multiple tabs include a base and a free endsuch that the first set of tabs extend toward the second set of tabs.With this arrangement, the multiple tabs are independently moveable soas to facilitate engagement and retention to multiple in-line bracketsalong one's upper or lower teeth.

In another embodiment, the first end and the second end of the elongatedbody include a first channel and a second channel formed in theelongated body. The first channel and the second channel are sized andconfigured to receive an arch wire that extends through the multiplein-line brackets. In another embodiment, the inner surface that definesthe hollow space is configured to receive multiple in-line brackets. Inyet another embodiment, the multiple tabs are configured to bend and beretained to an under-side portion of the brackets with an interferencetype fit.

In another embodiment, the multiple tabs include a conformable flexiblematerial. In still another embodiment, the elongated body includes apolymeric material. In yet another embodiment, the cap member furtherincludes a strip associated with the elongated body. The strip mayinclude an anesthetic and/or a fluoride and/or a flavor.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, ashield member for positioning over a tooth is provided. The shieldmember includes a body portion and one or more suction cups. The bodyportion includes a front surface and a rear surface with a peripherytherebetween, the front surface defined by the periphery and configuredto be sized to conceal a face surface of the tooth. The one or moresuction cups are at the rear surface of the shield member and the one ormore suction cups are configured to suction to the face surface of thetooth to temporarily adhere the body portion over the tooth.

In another embodiment, the concave suction portion comprises a roundedshape. In still another embodiment, the body portion and the one or moresuction cups include a polymeric material.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor temporarily capping or covering orthodontic hardware inside a mouthof a patient is provided. The method includes providing a cap memberincluding a body with a rounded outer surface extending to a bottom edgeand an inner surface defining a hollow space within the body, the capmember including multiple tabs each extending inward from the bottomedge; positioning the multiple tabs of the cap member against a facesurface of at least one bracket of the orthodontic hardware; and forcingthe cap member against the face surface of the bracket such that themultiple tabs flex and move to a rear side of the at least one bracketso that the at least one bracket is positioned within the hollow spacedefined by the cap member to retain the cap member to the at least onebracket.

In another embodiment, the forcing step includes forcing the multipletabs to bend and facilitate engagement to the at least one bracket suchthat each tab is independently bendable relative to an adjacent tab. Inanother embodiment, the positioning step includes orienting the capmember such that channels defined on opposing sides of the bottom edgeof the cap member are aligned with an arch wire of the orthodontichardware, the channels sized and configured to receive the arch wire. Instill another embodiment, the positioning step includes positioning themultiple tabs of the cap member against multiple in-line brackets of theorthodontic hardware such that the cap member exhibits an elongatedbody. In yet another embodiment, the providing step includes providingat least one of an anesthetic, a fluoride, and a flavor in the form of astrip associated with the cap member.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor temporarily shielding a tooth is provided. The method includesproviding a shield portion having a front surface and a rear surfacewith a periphery therebetween, the rear surface including one or moresuction cups and the front surface sized and defined by the periphery;positioning the one or more suction cups against the tooth such that theshield portion conceals a face surface of the tooth; and manuallypressing the shield portion against the tooth such that the one or moresuction cups are drawn to and retained to the face surface of the tooth.

In another embodiment, the method further includes drying the facesurface of the tooth prior to the positioning step. In anotherembodiment, the method further includes moistening the one or moresuction cups at the rear surface of the shield portion prior to thepositioning step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon reference tothe drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance or cap sized tofit over a bracket and wire system for teeth, according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the cap captured over the bracket andwire system, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cap depicting a retention mechanism forthe cap, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cap, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cap attached to the bracket ofFIG. 1A, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a cap for a wire end extending through braces,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cap attached to the wire endextending through braces, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cap and shield member sized to fitover a bracket wire system, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shield member prior to being attachedto a bracket coupled to a tooth, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the shield member attached to thebracket depicted in FIG. 8, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of three shield portions attached to two teethto aesthetically shield the gap in the teeth, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a shield member for shielding gapped teeth,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the shield member for shielding gappedteeth, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a tooth with a bracket coupled thereto,according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front view of two teeth and the shield member coupledbetween the two teeth, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shield member having suction cups ona rear surface thereof prior to being attached to a tooth, according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views of the shield member of FIG.15, depicting the shield member respectively adjacent and attached to atooth, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a cap member, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the cap member of FIG. 18, according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged end view of the cap member of FIG. 19, accordingto another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is an enlarged bottom view of the cap member of FIG. 18,depicting the tabs, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified view of a bracket system 10 or bracessystem is depicted over a single tooth 5 and a cap 20 in an unattachedposition. The bracket system 10 may include a bracket 12 coupled andaligned on the teeth with an arch wire 14 or main wire configured toextend through each of the brackets with a ligature wire 16 coupling thearch wire 14 to the bracket 12. The cap 20 may be sized and configuredto be captured by the bracket 12 so as to be positioned over the bracket12, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 4. Such cap 20 provides a smooth androunded surface that is non-abrasive to a patient's mouth, such as theirlips, cheeks, gums, and tongue. The cap 20 may be formed with one ofvarious shades of white. In another embodiment, the cap 20 may besomewhat transparent.

With respect to FIGS. 1-3, the cap 20, according to one embodiment, mayinclude a rounded body 22 with a mound-like outer shape. The body 22 mayinclude a wall 24 with an outer surface 26 and an inner surface 28 and abottom edge 30 extending between the outer and inner surfaces 26, 28.The body 22 may include a first channel 32 and a second channel 34 eachextending from the bottom edge 30 and into the wall 24 a predetermineddistance. The first and second channels 32, 34 extend from the bottomedge 30 at opposite sides of the body 22 and are aligned with eachother. The first and second channels 32, 34 may be similarly sized andinclude a fairly consistently sized gap 36 along their respectivelength. The gap 36 of the first and second channels 32, 34 is sized andconfigured to receive the arch wire 14 upon the cap 20 being placed overthe bracket 12 such that the cap 20 makes minimal or no contact with thearch wire 14 in the process of positioning the cap 20 as well as in theattached position of the cap 20. As such, the gap 36 of the first andsecond channels 32, 34 may be larger than the diameter of the arch wire14. Further, the gap 36 may be much larger so as to expand a majority ofthe side portion or width of the cap 20 as depicted with broken lines 31in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2. Such enlarged gap may be useful for purposes ofmaking the cap, employing molding techniques, such as injection molding,or any other suitable molding technique, as known to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, the cap 20 also includes multiple tabs 40.The tabs provide a retention mechanism for the cap 20 to be maintainedto the bracket 12. Each tab 40 may include a base 42 and a free end 44,the base 42 being coupled to the bottom edge 30 or to the inner surface28 adjacent the bottom edge 30 of the body 22. The multiple tabs 40 mayextend from the bottom edge 30 of the body 22 in an inward manner suchthat the tabs 40 extend toward oppositely facing tabs 40. Further, in afirst, un-attached position, the tabs 40 generally extend to provide apartial bottom surface of the body 22 and further, extend in a commonplane or a substantially flat configuration. Further, the tabs 40 mayextend from the bottom edge 30 at their base 42 toward their free end 44to generally define an opening 46, the opening 46 extending to a hollowspace 48 defined by the inner surface 28 of the body 22.

In one embodiment, the tabs 40 may each extend from the bottom edge 30so as to be separate and distinct from each other. The tabs 40 may bediscrete relative to each other in that they may include a slit or gapthat separates each tab from an adjacent tab. As such, each tab 40 mayindependently flex, move and/or bend relative to each other. Further,each tab 40 may independently bend and provide a bias toward the first,un-attached position such that each tab 40 is resiliently flexible. Itshould be noted that there are no tabs 40 between the first and secondchannels 32, 34 so that potential interference to the arch wire 14 ofthe bracket system 10 is limited.

In one embodiment, the tabs 40 may include a depth thickness 50 that maybe less than a thickness 52 of the wall 24 of the cap 20. The tabs 40may also include a similar depth thickness 50 than that of the thickness52 of the wall 24 of the cap 20. In another embodiment, the tabs mayextend a tab length 54 so as to minimize a size of the opening 46 suchthat one free end 44 of a tab 40 is directly adjacent to an oppositelyfacing free end 44 of a tab 40. In another embodiment, adjacent tabs 40may contact each other along the respective tab lengths 54 so as tominimize any slit or gap between adjacently extending tabs 40. In stillanother embodiment, one tab may slightly over-lap an adjacentlyextending tab 40 along their respective tab lengths 54 such that thetabs 40 may at least partially flex or move dependent upon an adjacenttab 40 moving or flexing.

As depicted in FIGS. 1A and 4, the cap 20 may be captured over thebracket 12 such that the tabs 40 are placed in a second, attachedposition. In the second position, the resiliently flexible tabs 40 maybe of a length so that the free ends 44 of the tabs 40 may engage with abase of the bracket 12 such that the tabs 40 bias against the base ofthe bracket 12 in a bent or bunched-up manner, as depicted in FIG. 4. Inone embodiment, in the second position, the tabs may be biased towardthe first position. The independently bendable tabs 40 provide aretention mechanism that can readily adjust to the variation instructure of an individual bracket 12. Also, the tabs 40 provide for aneffective retention mechanism for various bracket configurations. Inthis manner, the tabs 40 may readily engage the base of the bracket 12and retain and capture the cap 20 to the bracket 12. Further, since thetabs 40 do not extend over the channels or the space aligned between thefirst and second channels 32, 34, such arrangement facilitates the body22 to fit over the bracket 12 so that the arch wire 14 extends throughthe channels without interference to the arch wire 14 by the tabs or thebody in the process of positioning the cap 20 over the bracket 12.

The body 22 and tabs 40 may be formed of a polymeric material, such assilicone, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride(PVC), or any other suitable polymeric material or combination ofmaterials. Coatings may also be employed in the manufacture of the cap20 on various portions, such as the outer surface 26. As known in theart of polymeric materials, the cap 20 may be manufactured employingknown techniques, such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding,thermo-flowing, casting, transfer molding, or any other knownmanufacturing methods of polymeric materials. The cap 20 may be formedas a seamless unitary structure. The cap 20 may also be formed inmultiple components and then attached with known methods.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in another embodiment, a cap 60 may besized and configured to capture an end 15 of the arch wire 14. The cap60 in this embodiment may include a spherical or a mound shaped body 61with a wall 62 having an outer surface 64 and an inner surface 66, theinner surface 66 defining a hollow space 68 in the body 61. Similar tothe previous embodiment, the cap 60 may include multiple tabs 70extending from an edge 72, the edge 72 defined between the outer andinner surfaces 64, 66. Each tab 70 may include a base 74 and a free end76. The tabs 70 collectively may provide a spoke-like configuration withslits defined between each tab 70. In one embodiment, the free ends 76of the tabs each may extend toward an axis 78 of the body 61 such thatthe free ends 76 of the tabs 70 collectively define an opening 80 thatextends to the hollow space 68 of the body 61. The tabs 70 may give wayto enlarge the opening 80 upon manually pushing the cap 60 over the end15 of the arch wire 14. Upon the cap 60 being positioned over the wireend 15, the tabs 70 are configured to bias against an outer surface ofthe arch wire 14 so as to retain or maintain the cap 60 over the wireend 15. With this arrangement, due to the cap 60 having a rounded outersurface 64, the cap 60 minimizes potential irritation and discomfortthat would otherwise be caused by the arch wire 14. Such cap 60 may beformed of any suitable polymeric material, such as those described inthe previous embodiment, and be formed employing known manufacturingtechniques as previously described and known in the art.

With respect to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a cap 90 provided over abracket system 10 is described. This embodiment is similar to the firstembodiment describing the cap and bracket system 10 discussed herein(FIGS. 1-4), except this embodiment includes a shield portion 92. Theshield portion 92 may be integrally formed, attached, or adhered to afront side of the cap 90. The shield portion 92 may be sized andconfigured to be positioned over an entire face of a single tooth 5 tosubstantially and aesthetically shield the braces of a patient. Suchshield portion 92 includes a face surface 94 and a back surface 96. Theface surface 94 may be a large smooth surface to protect the gums,tongue, and mouth from irritation and discomfort. The back surface 96 issized and configured to abut at least a portion of the face of the tooth5.

The cap 90 and shield portion 92 may be formed of any suitable polymericmaterial as previously set forth herein and be formed employing knownmanufacturing techniques. In addition, the shield portion 90 may beformed of a more rigid polymeric material, such as polyvinyl, or anyother suitable material, such as a ceramic, composites, laminates orcombinations thereof. The shield portion 90 may be formed separatelyfrom the cap portion and then adhered together with an adhesive. Theshield portion and the cap may also be formed as a unitary and seamlessstructure.

With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a shield system 100 foraesthetically altering the appearance of one's teeth is disclosed. Thisembodiment provides similar structural characteristics of previousembodiments, however, this embodiment does not include a mound shapedcap. Rather, this embodiment includes a shield member 102 sized andconfigured to fit over a bracket 104. The bracket 104 may have a lowerprofile than brackets employed for braces. The bracket 104 is astand-alone or wireless bracket for temporarily adhering to one's teeth.The bracket 104 of this embodiment may be an attachment mechanism forthe shield member 102. The bracket 104 may include a base portion 106and an extension 108. The base portion 106 may be adhesively adhered toa person's tooth 105. The extension 108 may be configured to correspondwith an attachment portion of the shield member 102. The extension 108may include a square or rectangular configuration or any other suitableconfiguration sized to correspond and attach to the shield member 102.The bracket 104 of this embodiment may be formed of a polymericmaterial, ceramic material, or a metallic material, or any combinationthereof.

The shield member 102 may include a face portion 110 and a rear portion112 with a pocket 114 or hollow space disposed and defined therebetween.The rear portion 112 may include an opening 116 defined therein in theform of a horizontal slit or the like. The rear portion 112 may alsoinclude vertical and/or transverse slits 118, transverse relative to theopening 116, that define tabs 120 extending toward the opening 116 inthe rear portion 112. Such tabs 120 may extend around the opening 116defined in the rear portion 112. The face portion 110 may include a morerigid material than the rear portion 112. In another embodiment, theface portion 110 and rear portion 112 may be made of a common material,but be formed of different thicknesses so that the face portion 110 isthicker than the rear portion 112 so that the face portion 110 is morerigid than the rear portion 112. The tabs 120 may include structuralcharacteristics to facilitate maintaining the shield member 102 to thebracket 104.

As in previous embodiments, the shield member 102 may be formed of avariety of polymeric materials, such as silicone, polyethylene,polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl, orany other suitable polymeric material or combination of materials, suchas polyvinyl for the face portion 110 and silicone for the rear portion112. As set forth, the face portion 110 of the shield member 102 may beformed of a more rigid material, which may include ceramics, such asporcelain, and various composites and laminates that may includepolymeric materials. The shield member 102 may be colored in variousshades of white so as to shield any undesired deficiencies in one'steeth.

In another embodiment, the bracket 104 and shield member 102 arrangementmay be employed for changing the aesthetic appearance of one's teethwith a shield member 102 that is not colored with various shades ofwhite. For example, the shield member 102 may be gold or black in color.Depending on the color of the shield member 102, such bracket and shieldmember arrangement may be employed for a myriad of other purposes, suchas costume, popular culture, etc.

In still another embodiment, the shield member 102 depicted in FIGS. 8and 9 may also be employed to shield brackets employed for braces. Suchshield member 102 may be employed with a bracket system 10 for braces(See FIG. 1). As such, the opening 116 and tab 120 arrangement definedin the rear portion 112 would be employed similar to the cap discussedherein to engage a bracket for braces and the face portion 110 wouldprovide the advantageous features of protecting one's mouth fromdiscomfort as well as aesthetically shielding the braces. The shieldmember of this embodiment may provide a lower profile than theembodiment depicted in FIG. 7, for example.

With respect to FIG. 10, in another embodiment, a shield system 130 isdisclosed for aesthetically shielding a gap 132 in ones teeth. In thisexample, the shield system 130 provides for aesthetically shieldingdeficiencies in one's teeth, such as tooth loss or any other displeasingdeficiencies. The shield system 130 may include a first bracket 134 anda second bracket 136 that each may be adhered to a first tooth 138 and asecond tooth 140, respectively. The first and second brackets 134, 136may be similar to the bracket 104 described in FIGS. 8 and 9. The shieldsystem 130 also includes a shield member 142 that may include theaesthetic appearance of three teeth, namely, a first shield portion 144,a second shield portion 146, and a third shield portion 148, the firstand second shield portions 144, 146 being joined by a first intermediateportion 150 and the second and third shield portions 146, 148 joined bya second intermediate portion 152. The shield member 142 may include aface portion 154 and a rear portion (not shown). The rear portion mayinclude an opening and tab arrangement (not shown), similar to thatdescribed with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9, at the rear portion of thefirst shield portion 144 and the third shield portion 148. As such, theopening and tab arrangement in the rear portion (not shown) of the firstand third shield portions 144, 148 may respectively couple to the firstbracket 134 and the second bracket 136 in a similar manner as depictedin the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9. With this arrangement, the shieldmember 142 is retained by the first and third shield portions 144, 148and the second shield portion 146 aesthetically shields the gap 132between the first and second tooth 138, 140. The materials employed inthis embodiment may be similar to those described in the previousembodiment.

FIGS. 11-14 describe another embodiment for aesthetically shielding agap or a lost tooth in one's teeth. FIGS. 11-12 depict one embodiment ofa shield member 160. The shield member 160 may include a front side 162and a rear side 164 with an edge extending between the front side 162and rear side 164 that defines a periphery 166 of the shield member. Therear side 164 may include an extension portion 168 with, for example,two ends 170 sized and configured to couple to respective first andsecond coupling members 178, 180 (See FIGS. 13 and 14). As depicted inFIG. 11, the extension portion 168 may extend beyond a width or theperiphery 166 of the front side 162. Such extension portion 168 may besnipped or cut down to a desired length to match the width for a givengap between teeth. For example, FIG. 12 depicts the extension portion168 with a longitudinal length (with the ends being snipped) so as tomatch the approximate width or periphery of the shield member 160.Further, the periphery 166 of the shield member 160 may be cut or filedback to an appropriate size to match a gap 184 (FIG. 14) between one'steeth. Further, the rear side 164 of the shield member 160 may include abacking 172 for additional reinforcement to the shield member 160.

As depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, the shield member 160 is coupled betweena first tooth 174 and a second tooth 176 by coupling the extensionportion 168 to a first coupling member 178 and a second coupling member180. The first and second coupling members 178, 180 may be respectivelyadhered to an inside surface of the two teeth adjacent to the gap. Thefirst and second coupling members 178, 180 each include a couplingconfiguration that corresponds with a respective end 170 of theextension portion 168. For example, as depicted in FIG. 13, the couplingconfiguration is a recess 182 formed in the first coupling member 178that is sized and configured to receive one end 170 of the extensionportion 168. The extension portion 168 may be formed of a resilientpolymeric material that can properly retain the shield member 160, butcan also be readily removed when desired. The front side 162 or frontportion of the shield member 160 may be formed of a thin polymericmaterial. The front side 162 of the shield member 160 may include one ofa variety of shades of white that can be matched to one's teeth. Withthis arrangement, the shield member 160 and first and second couplingmembers 178, 180 facilitate one to aesthetically shield a gap in one'steeth.

The first and second coupling members 178, 180 may be formed of apolymeric material, ceramic, or metal, or combinations thereof or anyother suitable material as known in the art. The shield member 160 maybe formed of one or more materials. For example, the front side 162and/or the rear side 164 of the shield member 160 may be formed of apolymeric material, similar to those previously set forth, such aspolyvinyl, composites, ceramics, laminates or combinations thereof asknown by one skilled in the art. Further, the extension portion 168 andbacking 172 may be formed of a polymeric material as previously setforth and, preferably, a more compliant polymeric material, such assilicon rubber or the like.

Now with reference to FIGS. 15 through 17, another embodiment of ashield member 202 for purposes of aesthetically shielding one's tooth205 is provided. Such a shield member 202 may be employed for purposesof shielding the discoloration of one's tooth 205, in which case theshield member may be white or a white-like color to match the otherteeth in one's mouth. In another embodiment, the shield member 202 mayinclude a black color or any other color to be employed for, forexample, costume purposes.

The shield member includes a body portion 203 having a face surface 204and a rear surface 206 each defined by a periphery 208. The shieldmember 202 may include multiple suction cups 210 extending from the rearsurface 206. In another embodiment, the shield member 202 may includeone suction cup extending from the rear surface 206. Preferably, theshield member 202 may include between two and six suction cups 210, butmay exceed six suction cups as the suction cups 210 may be much smallerin comparison to that depicted so as to facilitate additional suctioncups. The suction cups 210 may each include a base 212 and a cup portion213, the cup portion extending from the base with a circularconfiguration. The base may be centrally located relative to thecircular configuration. The base 212 may be in the form of an extension,as depicted, or it may include a low-profile. For example, the base 212having a low-profile may simply be the interconnection between the cupportion 213 and the rear surface 206 of the shield member 202 such thatthe rear surface 206 defines one or more concave portions or suctioncups therein. Further, each cup portion 213 may include a suctioningsurface 214 extending from the base having a concave shape to facilitateeffective suctioning of each suction cup 210.

To apply the shield member 202 to a tooth 205, the user may first cleanand then dry an outer surface or face surface of the tooth 205. The usermay then remove the shield member 202 from its packaging and applymoisture to the suctioning surface 214 of each suction cup 210. Suchmoistening may be employed with the user's tongue or with a damp cloth.Once the suction cups 210 are moistened, the user may position and alignthe shield member 202 over a tooth 205 and then apply a force, asindicated by arrow 216, to the face surface 204 of the shield member 202such that the suctioning surface 214 of one or more suction cups 210 ispressed against the face surface 204 of the tooth 205. In this manner,the suction cups 210 of the shield member 202 become suctioned to thetooth 205 to, thereby, hold the shield member 202 to the tooth andconceal the face surface of the tooth 205.

Such shield member 202, along with the suction cups 210, may bemonolithically formed in a unitary and integral manner so as to be asingle piece member. In another embodiment, the shield member 202 may beformed separately and with a separate material than the suction cups 210such that the suction cups are added to the shield member employingvarious fastening techniques, such as, adhesive, wire fasteners, etc.Further, the shield member 202 may be formed of one or more polymericmaterials, ceramics, etc., similar to that described herein foralternate embodiments for a shield member. The suction cups 210 may alsobe formed with similar polymeric materials or any suitable polymericmaterial as known to one of ordinary skill in the art that willfacilitate effective suctioning of the shield member 202 to one's tooth.

In another embodiment, the suction cups 210 and shield member 202 setforth above may be employed as a shield system similar to the shieldsystem 130 depicted in FIG. 10. For example, at the rear portion or sideof a shield system, suction cups may be employed to a first and thirdshield portion to suction to teeth on both sides of a gap or anunsightly tooth such that a second shield portion extends between thefirst and third shield portions to hide the gap or unsightly tooth. Inthis manner, the suction cups may replace the need of adhering temporarystand-alone brackets to the teeth, as set forth and described relativeto FIG. 10.

Now with reference to FIGS. 18 through 21, another embodiment of a capmember 230 for positioning over multiple in-line brackets is provided.This embodiment is similar to the cap 20 sized for a single bracketdepicted in FIGS. 1 through 4, except in this embodiment, the cap member230 is sized and configured to engage over multiple in-line brackets ofa user's upper teeth or lower teeth.

The cap member 230 may include an elongated body 232 extending between afirst end and 246 a second end 248 to define a longitudinal length 262of the cap member 230. The cap member 230 also may include a wall 234with an exterior surface 236 and an interior surface 238, the interiorsurface 238 defining a hollowed portion 240 of the cap member 230. Theexterior surface may include a rounded portion (or upper portion)extending laterally between a first side 254 and a second side 256 ofthe elongated body 232.

The cap member 230 may include a first channel 242 and a second channel(not shown) formed and defined in the wall 234 at the respective firstend 246 and the second end 248 of the cap member 230. The channels 242define a space through which an arch wire 14 may extend upon the capmember 230 being positioned and engaged over and with the brackets 12,similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 4.

The cap member 230 may also include an underside 250 with multiple tabs252 extending from the wall 234 toward each other from the first side254 and the second side 256 of the cap member 230. For example, the tabs252 extending from the first side 254 may be a first set of tabs 252 andthe tabs 252 extending from the second side 256 may be a second set oftabs 252. Further, the first set of tabs 252 may extend substantiallyparallel relative to each other. Similarly, the second set of tabs 252may extend parallel relative to each other. Such tabs 252 may be acontinuous extension of the wall 234 at the underside 250 of the capmember 230 such that the tabs 252 each may include a base 258 extendingto a free end 260. With this arrangement, the first set of tabs 252 mayextend toward the second set of tabs 252 such that there is a gap 255between the free ends 260 of the first set and the second set of tabs252. Such a gap 255 may provide clearance to readily receive the in-linebrackets into the hollow portion 240 while the tabs 252 engage and grabonto the brackets. The cap member 230 and the tabs 252 may includesimilar features and structural characteristics as that alreadydescribed relative to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4,including, but not limited to, wall thickness, tab depth thickness, tablength, etc. Further, the cap member 230 may be formed of similarmaterials employing similar manufacturing techniques as that describedfor the cap 20 in the earlier described embodiments.

The cap member 230 of this embodiment may readily be positioned over aset of in-line brackets 12 (See FIGS. 1, 4, and 6) along one's upper orlower teeth and pushed over the brackets 12 so that the brackets aredisposed within the hollow portion 240 defined by the interior surface238 of the cap member 230 with the tabs 252 positioned and engaged withan under or side portion of the bracket 12. As such, along the length262 of the cap member 230, multiple tabs 252 may be engaging theunderside portion of different brackets 12 along the upper or lowerteeth with multiple tabs 252 positioned between adjacent brackets thatare not engaging a particular bracket along with the arch wire 14 alsoextending through the hollow portion 240 along the length 262 of the capmember 230. As in the previous embodiments, the tabs 252 may beconfigured to bias against and hold to the brackets with an interferencefit such that the tabs 252 and the free ends 260 thereof may bend andgrab to hold and bias against the underside portion of the brackets.

In another embodiment, the cap member 230 may include a shield portion(not shown) extending from the outer or exterior surface 236 of the capmember 230. The shield portion may be similar to the single shieldportion depicted and described relative to FIG. 7, except thisembodiment may extend along a mid-portion of the cap member and maymimic or correspond with four to six teeth.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 19, the cap member 230 mayinclude a strip 247 impregnated or imbedded into the body 232 of, forexample, the polymeric material. The strip 247 may include an anestheticbase and/or a fluoride base that may include a flavor associatedtherewith. The flavors may include mint, cherry, strawberry, orange orany other suitable favorable flavor. In another embodiment, the strip247 may include only one of the above-identified flavors associated withthe strip 247 without the base substance of an anesthetic and/orfluoride. In another embodiment, the strip 247 may include only theanesthetic and/or fluoride. The strip 247 may be an elongated,structural strip member that may be embedded into the wall of the capmember 230 along the longitudinal length thereof or the strip 247 may bea chemical substance impregnated into the external surface 236. In oneembodiment, the strip 247 may substantially extend along an entirelength thereof. In another embodiment, the strip may also extendlongitudinally along the length, but as multiple strip pieces, asdepicted. In still another embodiment, the strip 247 may be in the formof a thin layer that may be, for example, sprayed, spread, or brushedover the external surface of the cap member 230. The strip 247 may bepre-formed with the cap member 230 or the strip may be applied by theuser and come as part of a kit, in which the strip may be applied byspraying or applying such strip from a tube. The strip 247 may beconfigured to include a time-release such that the strip 247 reacts andreleases its flavor, anesthetic, and/or fluoride over a pre-definedperiod of time. Such time-release may be employed with a particulartemperature range or with the mouth's saliva or any other suitable meansas known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It should be noted thatsuch a strip 247 may be embodied in the cap 20, 90 described in FIGS. 1and 7, respectively, or in any other of the embodiments describedherein, such as the various shield member embodiments.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and have been described in detail herein.However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended tobe limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the inventionincludes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap configured to be captured over a bracket ofa bracket system for teeth, the cap comprising: a body having a roundedouter surface extending to a bottom edge and an inner surface defining ahollow space, the bottom edge defining two channels aligned oppositeeach other and extending from the bottom edge; and multiple tabs eachextending inward from the bottom edge of the body, the multiple tabsbeing independently moveable relative to each other so as to facilitateengagement and retention to the bracket.
 2. The cap of claim 1, whereinthe multiple tabs are resiliently flexible and are moveable from afirst, unattached position to a second, attached position, wherein thetabs extend in a substantially common plane in the first, unattachedposition.
 3. The cap of claim 2, wherein, in the second, attachedposition, the tabs each independently bend relative to structure of thebracket and are each biased toward the first, unattached position suchthat the tabs retain the body to the bracket.
 4. The cap of claim 1,wherein the multiple tabs extend a predetermined distance inward fromthe bottom edge so as to define a bottom surface, wherein the bottomsurface defines an opening such that the opening extends to the hollowspace defined by the inner surface of the body.
 5. The cap of claim 1,wherein the multiple tabs include a depth thickness, the depth thicknessbeing less than a thickness of the body.
 6. The cap of claim 3, whereinthe two channels defined in the body include a substantially constantwidth along their respective length, the width of the two channels beinggreater than a diameter of an arch wire such that the width of thechannels prevent substantially any interference between the body and thearch wire.
 7. The cap of claim 1, wherein the two channels defined inthe bottom edge of the body and the multiple tabs are sized to preventinterference with an arch wire of the bracket system, the two channelsbeing configured to receive the arch wire upon the body being capturedover the bracket.
 8. An orthodontic appliance configured to be capturedon a brace system in the mouth of a patient, the orthodontic appliancecomprising: a rounded body having a wall defining an outer surface andan inner surface, the inner surface defining a hollow portion within thebody, the body including an opening defined in the outer surface andextending to the hollow portion in the body; and multiple tabs eachextending inward over the opening, the multiple tabs being independentlymoveable relative to each other and configured to engage and capture thebody to a portion of the brace system in the mouth.
 9. The orthodonticappliance of claim 8, wherein the rounded body is sized and configuredto be captured over an end of an arch wire of the brace system.
 10. Theorthodontic appliance of claim 8, wherein the rounded body comprises abottom edge defining the opening, the bottom edge defining a firstchannel and a second channel aligned opposite each other in the body andextending from the bottom edge, and wherein the rounded body isconfigured to be captured over a bracket of a brace system such that anarch wire of the brace system is received in the first and secondchannels without the body interfering with the arch wire.
 11. A capmember configured to be positioned over multiple in-line brackets of abracket system for teeth, the cap member comprising: an elongated bodyextending longitudinally between a first end and a second end thereof,the elongated body having a rounded outer surface extending laterallybetween a first side and a second side such that each of the first sideand the second side extends to an underside of the elongated body andthe rounded outer surface, and the elongated body having an innersurface defining a hollow space; and multiple tabs including a first setof tabs and a second set of tabs, the first set of tabs each extendinginward from the first side of the elongated body to define the undersidealong the first side of the elongated body, and the second set of tabseach extending inward from the second side of the elongated body todefine the underside along the second side of the elongated body, eachof the multiple tabs including a base and a free end such that the firstset of tabs extend toward the second set of tabs, the multiple tabsbeing independently moveable so as to facilitate engagement andretention to multiple in-line brackets.
 12. The cap member of claim 11,wherein the first end and the second end of the elongated body comprisesa first channel and a second channel formed in the elongated body, thefirst channel and the second channel being sized and configured toreceive an arch wire that extends through the multiple in-line brackets.13. The cap member of claim 11, wherein the multiple tabs comprise aconformable flexible material.
 14. The cap member of claim 11, whereinthe inner surface defining the hollow space is configured to receivemultiple in-line brackets.
 15. The cap member of claim 11, wherein themultiple tabs are configured to bend and be retained to an under-sideportion of the brackets with an interference type fit.
 16. The capmember of claim 11, wherein the elongated body comprises a polymericmaterial.
 17. The cap member of claim 11, further comprising a stripconfigured to be associated with the elongated body, the stripconfigured to provide at least one of an anesthetic, a fluoride, and aflavor.
 18. A shield member for positioning over a tooth, the shieldmember comprising: a body portion having a front surface and a rearsurface with a periphery therebetween, the front surface defined by theperiphery and configured to be sized to conceal a face surface of thetooth; and one or more suction cups at the rear surface of the shieldmember, each suction cup having a concave suction portion, the one ormore suction cups configured to suction to the face surface of the toothto temporarily adhere the body portion over the tooth.
 19. The shieldmember of claim 18, wherein the concave suction portion comprises arounded shape.
 20. The shield member of claim 18, wherein the bodyportion and the one or more suction cups comprises a polymeric material.21. A method for temporarily covering orthodontic hardware inside amouth of a patient, the method comprising: providing a cap memberincluding a body with a rounded outer surface extending to a bottom edgeand an inner surface defining a hollow space within the body, the capmember including multiple tabs each extending inward from the bottomedge; positioning the multiple tabs of the cap member against a facesurface of at least one bracket of the orthodontic hardware; and forcingthe cap member against the face surface of the bracket such that themultiple tabs flex and move to a rear side of the at least one bracketso that the at least one bracket is positioned within the hollow spacedefined by the cap member to retain the cap member to the at least onebracket.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the forcingcomprises forcing the multiple tabs to bend and facilitate engagement tothe at least one bracket such that each tab is independently bendablerelative to an adjacent tab.
 23. The method according to claim 21,wherein the positioning comprises orienting the cap member such thatchannels defined on opposing sides of the bottom edge of the cap memberare aligned with an arch wire of the orthodontic hardware, the channelssized and configured to receive the arch wire.
 24. The method accordingto claim 21, wherein the positioning comprises positioning the multipletabs of the cap member against multiple in-line brackets of theorthodontic hardware such that the cap member exhibits an elongatedbody.
 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the providingcomprises providing at least one of an anesthetic, a fluoride, and aflavor in the form of a strip associated with the cap member.
 26. Amethod for temporarily shielding a tooth, the method comprising:providing a shield portion having a front surface and a rear surfacewith a periphery therebetween, the rear surface including one or moresuction cups and the front surface sized and defined by the periphery;positioning the one or more suction cups against the tooth such that theshield portion conceals a face surface of the tooth; and manuallypressing the shield portion against the tooth such that the one or moresuction cups are drawn to and retained to the face surface of the tooth.27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising drying the facesurface of the tooth prior to the positioning.
 28. The method accordingto claim 26, further comprising moistening the one or more suction cupsat the rear surface of the shield portion prior to the positioning.